IG Markets vs Trading 212: Comparison and Analysis

IG Markets vs Trading 212: Which Broker is Right for You?

Trying to decide between IG Markets and Trading 212? This comparison article will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the features of both brokers, so you can determine which platform is best suited to your needs.

Security

When it comes to security, both IG Markets and Trading 212 are highly regulated. IG Markets is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, FMA, FSCA, NFA, MAS, DFSA, JFSA, FINMA, and BMA, making it one of the most heavily regulated brokers in the industry. IG Markets is also regulated by the NFA in the US, making it available for US traders. IG Markets has a security rating of 98.

Trading 212 is regulated by the FCA, FSC, and CySEC, and has a security rating of 94. While both brokers are highly regulated, IG Markets has a slight edge in terms of the number of regulatory bodies overseeing its operations.

Demo Accounts

Both IG Markets and Trading 212 offer unlimited demo accounts, which is great for traders who want to test out the platform before committing real funds. IG Markets offers a demo account with virtual funds of $30,000, while Trading 212 offers a demo account with virtual funds of $50,000. The virtual funds for both demo accounts can be restored by contacting customer support.

Account Opening

IG Markets requires a minimum deposit of $300 for most countries, with some exceptions requiring $250 or $450. Account currency options include USD, GBP, and EUR, and payment methods include wire transfers, credit/debit cards, and eWallets. IG Markets offers a variety of account types, including Standard, Limited Risk, Spread Betting, Option and Turbo24, Share Dealing, Islamic, Professional, and Select accounts.

Trading 212 requires a minimum deposit of $1 for the Invest account and $10 for the CFD account. Account currency options include GBP and EUR, and payment methods include wire transfers, credit/debit cards, and eWallets. Trading 212 offers a variety of account types, including CFD, Invest, ISA, and Professional accounts.

Social-Copy Trading

IG Markets does not offer social or copy trading features, while Trading 212 offers the Autoinvest feature, which allows traders to copy each other’s stock investing strategies. If social or copy trading is important to you, Trading 212 may be the better option.

Markets

IG Markets offers a wide range of markets, including 90 forex pairs, 35 commodities, 80+ indices, 12 crypto assets, 16,000+ stocks, 5,400+ ETFs, and 30+ futures and options. IG Markets offers shares, ETFs, and investment trusts both as CFDs and as real assets, making it suitable for both short and long-term investments.

Trading 212 offers 200 forex pairs, 23 commodities, 1500+ indices, 0 crypto assets, 3000+ stocks, 400+ ETFs, and 80+ futures and options. Trading 212 offers stocks and ETFs both as CFDs and as real assets, and the availability of Autoinvest makes it a good option for long-term stock investing.

Trading Fees

Both IG Markets and Trading 212 offer variable spreads, with IG Markets spreads starting from 0.6 pips on forex and Trading 212 spreads starting from 1 pip. IG Markets offers $0 commission on real US stocks for FCA, ASIC, DFSA, and JFSA traders, while Trading 212 offers no commissions for Invest account holders.

Platforms

IG Markets offers a proprietary platform available via web and desktop, L2 Dealer designed for stockbroking, ProRealTime platform for advanced chart analysis, and MetaTrader 4 available via WebTrader, Desktop, and Mobile.

Trading 212 offers a proprietary platform available via web and mobile devices.

Education/Customer Care

IG Markets offers an extensive education section suitable for every trader, as well as a dedicated Academy App. Customer care is easy to contact via phone, email, and live chat, with over 13 available languages.

Trading 212 offers a basic academy section with standard information that is useful mainly to less experienced traders. Customer care is easy to contact via email and live chat, and an automated translator is available to contact Trading 212 in any language.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both IG Markets and Trading 212 are highly regulated brokers with a variety of features and benefits. IG Markets has a slight edge in terms of security and the number of markets offered, while Trading 212 offers the Autoinvest feature and a lower minimum deposit requirement. Ultimately, the best broker for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.